Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
As we bask in the wistful spoils of another victory, our attention naturally turns to our next opponent, the Broncs (yes Broncs, with no ‘o’. I hate them already) of Rider University. They no doubt have grabbed the attention of our fearless leader, as evidenced by some of his postgame comments last night:
“We are not playing winning basketball right now. It may catch us. [Rider] got beat at Virginia and did not shoot well. They are better 3-point shooting team than this team (Sam Houston State) we played today,” Calipari said.
“I am going back to watch tape and then going to punch walls. Then I have to get this game out of my system and watch Rider to see how we can stay in the game and guard a team that has offensive players and won at Mississippi State.
“Mississippi State couldn’t guard them and I bet you they are better defensive team than we are now.”
Not surprisingly, Coach was right. The Broncs shot a cool 7-for-23 against Virginia en route to a 33-point loss. Contrasting that with the combined 26-for-45 they shot from behind the arc in their wins over Lehigh and Jerry Tipton’s pick to win the SEC, Mississippi State, you can see that their offense relies on the three ball in much the same way Billy Gillispie’s coaching style relied on losing. This, it would seem, could pose a problem for a team whose three-point defense has, at times, found itself severely lacking in existence.
Maybe it’s the Gardner-Webbs of the world that have my head all turned around. Maybe at some point in the last few years, someone left a pair of Michael Jordan’s shoes in the visitor’s locker room at Rupp, leading to Little Bow Wow-esque capabilities for one jerk on every random team that visits the hallowed halls. Maybe after the double-clutch three that random jerk #74 hit last night, I lost touch with reality and have actually spent the last 12 hours wandering the streets. As in so many cases I think it’s probably a combination of these factors, but with only one day to prepare, the tea leaves seem to say that Kentucky might be ripe to get Ridered.
Now, I’m not some wacky alarmist like those new guys we brought in, but I am sane enough to say that we have some holes, and Rider’s strength seems to be in the area where we are the weakest. However, given the torches you all just picked up, I’d like to state clearly that I think we’ll win by at least 90, if they even show up to the arena. Seriously, I still think we’ll win the game going away, but a spade is a spade and, more than any kind of commentary on the game or life, this really is just a plea to the boys in blue. Please, from the bottom of my heart, play some three-point defense. I don’t want to see Coach Cal get angry and I think, maybe, he got close last night. Mr. Patterson, what do you think?
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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November 20th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
First….1 to 90 points wins.
November 20th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
“like those new guys we brought in”
from the KSR seasoned veteran Hunter Campbell
I think every fan has a fear of losing every game.
November 20th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
rider on the storm.
November 20th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Even though that were hitting everything they shot, I never felt like UK was going to lose last night.
November 20th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
^they not “that”
November 20th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Coach Cal was intense last night…that being said…I still wouldn’t mind being his son in-law.
:-D
Hopefully our boys in blue manage to be a little more communicative on defense tonight. However, I am not worried. I have full faith in Coach Cal and our team. More faith than I have had in a long, long time. Even if we lose, it would still not bother me that much. I see our boys turning into an unstoppable force by March. That being said…Wildcats by 43.
November 20th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
6 - I don’t think we play until tomorrow.
November 20th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I believe Coach Cal is similar to a certain coach up the road who has mastered dealing with the media via 1) strategic overstatement and 2) strategic understatement.
That and Italian lineage are where the similarities end. Thank God.
November 20th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
And that picture is right after Pat turned the ball over while he was inbounding the ball. Cal was really, really aggravated with that.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
We are not going to get Ridered, garderned, or any other such ludicrous statement. yeah, we may get a loss sometime before we play the big boys on our schedule. So i guess if you just keep predicting an upset, eventuall it might happen. I say we lose a max of 5 games this year as long as beat IU and UL. That leaves room for two losses to UNC and Uconn plus another 3 in conference. Say, one for Fl and Tenn and then one random one. That is my worst case scenario. We are going to have a great record this year, do special things and ultimately get a 1 or 2 seed. Enjoy it.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I think our guys need to realize that they don’t need to go 100% 6th gear at all times. This is what they are doing and it’s causing sloppy passes, forced shots, and uber turnovers. Plus, they’re so worn out on defense, they are having a hard time getting out and gaurding the 3.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
How prophetic was the post yesterday(I think it was Bilas that said it) that our shortcoming could be lack of depth ? We score 102, but no reserves score(although they did contribute in other ways). I know our reserves can score if given ample opportunity, but maybe Cal should use these early games to also build confidence in our reserves as scorers. I do understand however that his first priority is getting the starters on the same page.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
11…I agree. It was mentioned a lot last night. They work very hard on offense with great movement, rebounding etc…but when they get back on D they are being a little lazy, probably because they are tired. They need to not try and make every possession one for the highlight reel…and concentrate on wearing down the other team.
I also think Wall, Bledsoe etc. think we expect them to throw down nasty dunks and behind the back passes all the time because its fun to watch…when in reality we would just prefer good fundamental basketball.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
13) I saw a lot of times the guys would not get in front of guys to stop their dribble(especially fast breaks) because it appeared they were setting them selves up for the angle to get a “wow” block instead.They had poor defensive positioning it seemed because they felt they were athletic enough to catch up & block it. Wall has let his man around him & go for the back tap, but missed at least 2-3 times over last 2 games.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
If Cal wants to watch the tape and punching the wall I would only hope they put Balsa wood up so he won’t break a hand. UK by 27
November 20th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
14) I totally agree. I really think that Cal has a point with the AAU leagues, where it doesnt matter who wins, because they play 2 or three games a day. I think AAU games have evolved (for some players) as a way to showcase their talents to scouts. Im not saying Wall is at UK simply to showcase for NBA scouts, but I think its taken a few games for him to realize that this is a different game than summer ball. I think he is getting it though…and I think Cal will make sure he gets it.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
What do we have to do to get Kyle Macy off the freakin television? He is awful!!
November 20th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
“you can see that their offense relies on the three ball in much the same way Billy Gillispie’s coaching style relied on losing.”
Well done!
November 20th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Can anyone help me out with something? The whitacker bank commercial with all the Macey, Delk, Shephard, and Coach Hall. But my question who is the other black guy that shoots the first shot, i can’t get a good look at his face. By the way i think Coach Cal will get there attetion by tomorrow. Cats win.